What We’re Reading

July 9, 2018

Why does PSC’s work shine? Its team of wordsmiths and artists, of course

March 27, 2018

Powerful policy solutions and compelling marketing and communications products don’t take shape overnight. They’re the result of copious research, countless development meetings and a lot of hard work. But at [...]

August 2, 2017

Is Michigan’s environment on the federal chopping block?

July 11, 2017

Earlier this spring, President Trump proposed significant cuts to environmental spending at the federal level. Michigan’s legislature then followed suit with its own substantial state-level reductions, effectively delivering a one-two [...]

The U.S. Department of Education: What does it do?

April 4, 2017

The highly publicized confirmation of Michigander Betsy DeVos as the country’s education secretary left many people wondering what exactly that position entails. Who better to explain the role of the [...]

PSC’s research tells the story of URC’s impact on Detroit

September 29, 2016

To increase the area’s prosperity, the University Research Corridor (URC) has been actively engaged in Detroit-focused research projects and initiatives for a number of years. But are its efforts working? [...]

April 28, 2016

With so many headlines broadcasting the challenges facing our cities — from struggling schools, crumbling infrastructure and a lack of affordable housing to food insecurity and precarious finances — it [...]

Striving for more graduates in Michigan

March 30, 2016

This article originally appeared in Capital Gains, an online magazine and website showcasing the growth and investments transforming the Lansing region, on February 24, 2016. It has been edited by PSC staff for this reprint [...]

Leveraging Michigan’s natural resources for economic development

March 30, 2016

As any Michigander knows, our state has abundant and diverse natural resources that everyone can enjoy. These resources contribute significantly to the state’s culture, history, identity and economy—attracting visitors, residents [...]

February 25, 2016

Michiganders’ voices heard on issues ripped from the headlines

February 25, 2016

Michigan Radio and Public Sector Consultants (PSC) presented voters with a diverse set of questions in its latest quarterly poll, with topics ranging from robot cars to carrying concealed weapons. [...]

Beyond evaluation: How Michigan supports its teachers

February 25, 2016

This article originally appeared in Second Wave, a Michigan-focused online magazine, on November 9, 2015. In early November, Gov. Rick Snyder signed new rules for evaluating teacher performance into Michigan law. Senate Bill [...]

October 26, 2015

Talent in Michigan: Setting an ambitious agenda

October 26, 2015

An interactive conversation hosted by Public Sector Consultants Talent retention, recruitment and development are key to a healthy workforce. On Oct. 29, Public Sector Consultants will bring together experts in [...]

In the Gears: PSC’s evaluation skills inform decision-makers

October 26, 2015

Effective policy does not end with implementation; programs, initiatives and policies must be continuously evaluated to make sure they are reaching their milestones and goals. At PSC, consultants work with [...]

Voters, experts agree: It’s time for an independent redistricting commission

October 26, 2015

Redistricting made national headlines this past June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Arizona’s independent redistricting commission -- a bipartisan alternative to having the state legislature draw voting lines. In [...]

October 26, 2015

In the Gears: Defining the problems — and solutions — for Region 9

August 10, 2015

Downtown Chelsea, Michigan. Defining problems and solutions through facilitation, strategic counsel and strategic planning is the focus in this installment of In the Gears, a series that highlights the tools [...]

The Michigan Clean Energy Reports: A look at clean energy

August 10, 2015

Participants engage at a Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association energy fair. Communities throughout Michigan are making clean energy efforts, but it’s important to take a closer look at what’s actually [...]

Beyond the battlefield: Bridging the disconnect between public perception and the state’s efforts

August 10, 2015

Most Michiganders think the state doesn’t give returning veterans adequate services, according to a recent poll from Michigan Radio and Public Sector Consultants. According to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency [...]

Q&A: Council of Michigan Foundations President and CEO Rob Collier

May 15, 2015

Growing Michigan’s philanthropic impact is a primary goal for the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF). The organization depends on its members, investments in Michigan’s charitable organizations, collaboration and more to [...]

February 11, 2015

Source: Midwest Independent System Operator via Public Sector Consultants. Electricity shortages, rolling blackouts, and surging electricity prices were the order of the day in California back in 2000 and 2001. California's [...]

Meet the Michigan economy: Cars, chairs and cherries, oh my!

February 11, 2015

North Star Organics cherry orchard in Frankfort, MI. Recession hit Michigan earlier and deeper than most states during the last decade, digging an economic hole that residents and businesses have [...]

February 11, 2015

A healthy home is crucial for educational and economic success — unfortunately, many families live in substandard housing, plagued by hazards like mold or chipping lead paint. The national nonprofit [...]

In The Gears: Turning the implementation gear with the Michigan Department of Education

February 11, 2015

Bringing projects from thought to practice takes a special set of skills in implementation. How implementation benefits our clients is the focus of this installment of In the Gears, a series that [...]

Visualizing Data: The performance of nonprofits in a new tableau

December 9, 2014

Melissa Gibson, senior consultant at PSC crunches the numbers to beautiful effect. When it comes to high-quality information analysis, the numbers can become overwhelming. But Public Sector Consultants has always [...]

In The Gears: Finding the right research to turn the gears

December 9, 2014

Is Michigan finally getting serious about fixing our crumbling roads?

December 9, 2014

For anyone driving into Michigan from a bordering state or from Canada, the situation becomes immediately clear: Michigan's roads are crumbling beneath their tires. While that's nothing new, officials say [...]

October 31, 2014

From Left to Right: Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, Susan Hedman, EPA Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager, and Mary Whitmore, Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative coordinator As teachers [...]

Q&A: Place-based education expert Dr. Doris Terry Williams

October 31, 2014

On November 6, hundreds of educators and community leaders will converge in Grand Rapids, Michigan to kick off the 2014 Great Lakes Place-based Education Conference. This fourth annual conference will [...]

Oral health initiative helps Michigan kids smile

July 17, 2014

Michigan's children are suffering a dental crisis. To help address the crisis, Public Sector Consultants is helping the dental insurance provider Delta Dental to develop a campaign called the Brighter [...]

Gerrymandering: Picasso could not have done it better

June 9, 2014

Update on economic benefits of Michigan’s nonprofit sector

June 9, 2014

To most people, the term “nonprofit” conjures visions of benevolent institutions doing good work in communities, perhaps feeding the homeless or providing job training to ex-convicts on a shoestring budget, [...]

Michigan’s Office of Great Start ready to ‘race to the top’ of early childhood learning

April 29, 2014

A partnership among Michigan's Office of Great Start (OGS), Public Sector Consultants and early childhood organizations has yielded $52 million in new federal funds to help hundreds of thousands of Michigan [...]